As local new COVID hospitalization numbers continue in upper Stage 2 range, national new case rates are rising, leading to confidence that a winter surge is on the way. A group of Hays CISD parents speaks up in opposition to vaccine clinics being hosted by Hays schools. Austin EMS drops a disqualifier for applicants who have used marijuana in states where it is legal - and we need those medics, as we've hit a new record for annual traffic-related deaths. Travis County DA Jose Garza announced new efforts to combat local gun violence - just as another shooting happens on Sixth Street - inside the bar The Lodge. City leaders are considering upping Austin's relatively low standards on petition-driven ballot initiatives. Austin ranks high on a list of remote-work cities. Tiff's Treats surpasses $500 million in value as their expansion efforts continue across several states. Lotteries are announced for $10 tickets to the Austin run of Hamilton. And get ready - a strong cold front is inbound and will drop our temps by about 20 degrees for Thursday.

COVID numbers continue their recent upper Stage 2 plateau, while dozens of Texas hospitals remain under ICU capacity strain, and UT throws a day party for its scientists and researchers who have contributed to the vaccine effort. McCallum High School sees a mass student walkout over AISD's handling of sexual misconduct. Alex Jones loses the remaining defamation cases filed against him by Sandy Hook families. A live music venue near the airport has become the source of dozens of noise complaints. Elon Musk's challenge to the U.N. on how he might be able to alleviate world hunger with his riches is answered with a plan. Struggling Texas Football is without RB Bijan Robinson for the rest of the season, as former QB Vince Young tweets encouragement. Austin FC goalie Brad Stuver is named a finalist for a major MLS humanitarian award. Delicious Tamales of San Antonio is set to open their first Austin store this week, and Georgetown sees a new Costco start construction this spring, to open in 2023.

Beto O'Rourke formally announces his candidacy for Governor of Texas. Local COVID numbers continue hovering in upper Stage 2 range as the City seeks feedback on its vaccine operations. Winter infrastructure worries: a review of last winter's death toll offers a sobering reminder as the head of PUC says power providers have two weeks to get ready. The Rally For Kindness marks Austin's resistance to recent anti-Semitic incidents. Zohaib Qadri announces his candidacy for the District 9 Austin City Council seat, while longtime Travis County Clerk Dana Debouvoir announces her retirement. Austin ISD faces a $62 million budget shortfall due to low enrollment numbers. Texas Football hits a historic low with a five-game losing streak - including the loss to injury of star RB Bijan Robinson - while Texas Women's Basketball marks a huge win over defending national champions Stanford. Westlake, Lake Travis, Vandergrift and Bowie are among local high school football teams who scored wins in the opening weekend of the championship playoffs. The Fear The Walking Dead production walks to Georgia after funding cuts by the Texas Legislature. And warm weather continues, but a cool snap is coming before the weekend.

Local COVID stats remain in Stage 2 range but not far from Stage 3 - as Governor Abbott's mask mandate ban for schools is blocked by the courts, Eanes ISD relaxes their masking requirements. AISD teachers and staff will not get a hoped-for 2% pay raise this year, as the district misses enrollment goals. A suspect in the firebombing of a central Austin synagogue is arrested, as yet another public display of anti-Semitism occurs nearby at Ramsey Park. Texas natural gas consumers will pay higher bills as funding for profits owed to gas suppliers racked up during last February's freeze disaster are approved by regulators. U.S. Marshals arrest three Austin murder suspects in just two hours. An unruly passenger on an Austin to San Francisco flight in May is fined $32,000 by the FAA. A Kerr County prostitution ring bust results in 20 arrests. Free meals are up today for our veterans at a variety of Austin eateries for Veteran's Day. A new report proclaims Austin as America's Next Great Biking City. Austin FC defender and MLS veteran Matt Besler is set to retire after a 13 year career. The Waterloo Greenway Conservancy Creek Show opens Friday night - it's free. And We Are Blood could use your donation lately, especially if you've got O Positive in the tank.

COVID Key Indicators edge back within a point of Stage 3 - no official reduction to Stage 2 is likely soon - while current COVID hospitalizations across the state drop below 1,000, and a new map shows vaccination rates by ZIP code. Matthew McConaughey draws criticism for casting doubt upon vaccines for younger kids. Another interactive map shows how the various Austin precincts supported or rejected Prop A. Jose "Chito" Vela III announces a run for the soon-to-be-vacant District 4 seat currently held by Greg Casar. New conspiracy charges are filed in the Javier Ambler III police-involved death case. Austin may be facing a waste collection service interruption due to a lack of drivers. The operator of 19 local Dairy Queen stores has been forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages owed to 31 of its managers. Texas Longhorns basketball kicks off impressively for both men's and women's teams in their last-ever season openers at the Frank Erwin Center. Juiceland marks 10 years with a new CEO and a menu expansion. Distant Relatives BBQ is named one of Eater.com's 11 Best New Restaurants in America. And organizers of the cancelled Veteran's Day Parade decline an offer to gather at the Capitol, while organizers of the 37th Street Christmas Lights announce an opening night of December 10.

COVID numbers continue in upper Stage 2 range (city remains officially at Stage 3) while vaccinations for kids under 12 begin. The first report on real-world vaccine efficacy by an agency of the state of Texas finds huge disparity in outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated people, the latter of whom are proven to be at much greater risk of death from the virus. A city auditor report finds that Austin was woefully unprepared for last year's winter freeze, and makes recommendations for improvement. A special election to fill the District 4 Austin City Council seat soon to be vacated by Greg Casar could come in late January. Famed attorney Thomas J. Henry has filed a lawsuit against Travis Scott and others involved in the deadly concert mishap in Houston last weekend. APD has uncovered a trove of stolen bikes, power tools and more, and are seeking the rightful owners. Torchy's Tacos CEO G.J. Hart steps down, founder Mike Rypka will fill in for now. Buzz Mill Coffee opens a second location in East Austin. College Station's Layne's Chicken Fingers is eyeballing an Austin debut early next year. Bird's Barbershop has launched a major hiring initiative including signing and referral bonuses. UT announces a Gold Award for its services to military veterans and families. And filmmaker Wes Anderson has West Anderson Lane rechristened - temporarily - in his honor.

As our local COVID hospitalization rate hovers in Stage 2 range, our Community Transmission Rate or CTR remains too high for local health officials to feel comfortable dropping our precaution levels, especially with the holidays on the way. The deadly outcome of this weekend's Travis Scott concert in Houston leads local leaders to reconsider similar events in Austin. Good news: Austin Energy is working on plans to cut power from fewer Austin homes in severe winter weather, and Bad news: Austin Energy is making plans to cut power from Austin homes in winter weather at all. The new Violet Crown development near Bee Cave draws strong opposition from several local environmental watchdogs. Dozens of Austin-area high school football teams prepare for bi-district playoff action starting this week. Texas Football hits its first four-game losing streak in eleven years. Austin FC goes out on a loss at Portland, but president Andy Loughnane considers the inaugural season a success. Eater has a summary of this weekend's Austin Food And Wine Festival, while Austin360 releases its 2021 Dining Guide. And nice fall weather continues this week.

Austin's COVID numbers have been in Stage 2 for 11 days now - why is the city still officially at Stage 3? Austin parents finding it hard to pin down a vaccine appointment for their kids are set for relief from their schools. Still more anti-Semitic activity, this time in San Marcos and Hays County. Austin City Council Member Greg Casar announces a run for the 35th District seat of the U.S. House of Representatives. City and county officials have released a post-mortem on Winter Storm Uri, complete with recommendations for this winter. Elon Musk's SpaceX facility at Boca Chica has run afoul of wildlife advocates. Former UT QB Sam Ehlinger makes his regular season NFL debut in a brief appearance in the 45-30 win by his Indianapolis Colts over the New York Jets. Crowdsourced data site Numbio finds Austin sixth in the entire world for quality of life. Austin, New Braunfels and Round Rock make SmartAsset's list of America's Top 50 Boomtowns. Nine Austin businesses make Inc. Magazine's list of the best-run in the country, led by Bumble who are tops for both Austin and Texas. The original Catfish Parlour on 183 will close as of this weekend after 48 years in business, while Mickelthwaite Craft Meats expands with a new food market and beer garden. The Austin Police Department is seeking volunteers for this year's Operation Blue Santa effort. And a gorgeous fall weekend is afoot - enjoy!

Local COVID numbers continue gradual drop through Stage 2 range as two pandemic-related state constitutional amendments are overwhelmingly approved. Leander ISD leaders consider next steps as two bond elections to fund public schools are voted down. Austin Fire Department arson investigators release photos of a man suspected of firebombing the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on Halloween night. Fredericksburg-area State Rep Kyle Biedermann is stepping down. Texas Football sees a possible discipline-related departure, a second recent transfer portal departure, and the crazy Halloween Monkey Bite story gets even crazier. Austin FC wins its last home match of the club's inaugural season - the first match at Q2 in inclement weather - and ranks high across MLS for home attendance. The touring version of The Masked Singer comes to the Bass Concert Hall next summer, tickets are on sale now. Lazarus Brewing Company is set to expand into the former home of I Luv Video on Airport. And as cooler weather reminds us of last February's ordeal, rain moves out, setting the stage for a beautiful fall weekend.

Austin sees a string of days with no COVID deaths for the first time since September, as local parents scramble for vaccination appointments for their kids under 12. Election day: Prop A goes down in defeat while sponsor Save Austin Now promises more campaigns, Prop B and all eight state constitutional amendments on yesterday's ballot are approved, and turnout hits expected rates after a slow start to early voting. Austin Police Chief Joe Chacon reports a general decline in local crime and the Downtown Austin Alliance announces a major decrease in unsheltered downtown homelessness. A delivery driver was allegedly stabbed to death by a civilian parking lot attendant who was trying to boot the driver's car. Bowie High School endures a second day of restroom shutdowns due to a second major water leak connected to the February winter freeze. Houston Astros drop the World Series at home for the second time in three seasons. Animal Control Services are looking into a monkey bite at a Texas Longhorns assistant coach's home. Austin is named the top winter travel destination for vacationers seeking warm weather. The new Taco Palenque location in Round Rock is now the chain's closest to Austin. The Ghost Hounds of Pittsburgh will open for the Rolling Stones later this month at Circuit Of The Americas. And a wet cold front will drop our temps into the 40's tonight before a weekend warmup.